Published: September 24, 2009 11:13 pm      

Bearkats to play at Kentucky in 2009-10

Isiah Thomas coming to Huntsville to coach Florida International

A visit to historic Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., a tournament in Cancun, Mexico on Thanksgiving and a visit to Huntsville by a Basketball Hall of Famer highlight the 2009-10 Sam Houston State men’s basketball schedule announced Thursday by Bearkats coach Bob Marlin.

The schedule includes 13 nonconference games (six in Huntsville, seven on the road) and 16 Southland Conference regular-season games.

Sam Houston State also will be looking to make its eighth consecutive postseason appearance in the Southland Conference tournament March 11-14 in Katy.

“Obviously, making our first visit to Rupp Arena in Lexington to play one of the top programs in the history of college basketball in Kentucky is a highlight of the schedule,” Marlin said. Sam Houston faces off against the Wildcats on Nov. 19

The Kentucky game is part of Sam Houston’s participation in the Cancun Classic. The Bearkats will also play at Cleveland State on Nov. 21 before heading to Cancun to play Oral Roberts on Nov. 24 and either Rider or Florida A&M on Nov. 25.

Other nonconference road games take Sam Houston to Auburn on Dec. 20, Wright State on Dec. 28 and Western Michigan on Jan. 3.

Isiah Thomas, former Detroit Pistons star and now head coach at Florida International, brings the Golden Panthers to Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville on Dec. 22. The Ragin’ Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette visit Johnson Coliseum on Nov. 30.

Sam Houston State starts its Southland Conference schedule with defending-league champion Stephen F. Austin on Jan. 9.



The complete Sam Houston State men's basketball schedule for 2009-10:



Nov. 14 LeTOURNEAU 7 p.m.

Nov. 16 TEXAS COLLEGE 7 p.m.

Nov. 19 @ Kentucky 8 p.m.

Nov. 21 @ Cleveland State 6 p.m.

Nov. 24 vs. Oral Roberts ^ TBD

Nov. 25 vs. Rider or Florida A&M ^ TBD

Nov. 30 MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN 7 p.m.

Dec. 5 LA.-LAFAYETTE 7 p.m.

Dec. 12 ECCLESIA COLLEGE 2 p.m.

Dec. 20 @ Auburn 1 p.m.

Dec. 22 FLORIDA INTL. 7 p.m.

Dec. 28 @ Wright State 6 p.m.

Jan. 3 @ W. Michigan 2 p.m.

Jan. 9 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN * 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 @ Southeastern La. * 3 p.m.

Jan. 20 TEXAS STATE* 7 p.m.

Jan. 23 @ Texas-Arlington * 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 LAMAR * 7 p.m.

Jan. 30 @ A&M-Corpus Christi* 7 p.m.

Feb. 3 @ Texas-San Antonio * 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 CENTRAL ARKANSAS *7 p.m.

Feb. 10 @ Nicholls * 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI * 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 @ Lamar * 7 p.m.

Feb. 20 @ Texas-San Antonio * 7 p.m.

Feb. 24 McNEESE STATE * 7 p.m.

Feb. 27 TEXAS-ARLINGTON * 7 p.m.

March 3 @ Northwestern State * 7 p.m.

March 6 Texas State * 4 p.m.

March 11-14 Southland Conference Tournament, Merrell Center, Katy



Home games in ALL CAPS

^ Cancun Classic, Cancun Mexico

* Southland Conference game. All times are Central